Goth-Pop

After becoming familiar with her music in the aftermath of her previous 2014 effort Taiga, I have been looking forward to new music from Zola Jesus for quite some time. If Bjork, Chelsea Wolfe, and Evanesence had a child together, the outcome would be Zola Jesus. Four years later, we are given the gift of her fifth studio album titled Okovi, a beautiful and surreal record that combines the industrial goth pop of her previous records, and gorgeous classical string arrangements with booming electronic beats.

Canadian trio, Austra, master the synth-pop/goth sound of their female counterparts; Bat For Lashes, Zola Jesus, and more. 'Feel It Break' is a variation of a single sound. Typically this is cause for complaint; Austra however manages to break this stereotype by acing a brilliant sound and providing slight departures track to track. It's the ethereal dark magic that lures listeners in with Austra's mesmerizingly roomy synth sounds, toe-tapping beats, and Kate Stelmanis' powerful yet entrancing vocals. The only difficulty associated with this album is in selecting a favorite track.